Palliative care is an important aspect of nursing when comfort and quality of life are the patient goals. The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) developed a comprehensive program of teaching care of the dying to nurses and nursing students. This pretest-posttest study evaluated the influence of the integration of the ELNEC curriculum into a baccalaureate nursing program on students' attitudes toward care of the dying. The Frommelt Attitudes toward Care of the Dying Scale for nurses (FATCOD) was administered to traditional and accelerated baccalaureate students before and after exposure to a nursing curriculum that integrated essential ELNEC elements. Multiple regression analyses indicated that no previous experience with death and an age of 18-22 accounted for the most variance in attitude change. The findings suggest that integrating the ELNEC curriculum throughout a baccalaureate program positively affects the attitudes of nursing students toward the care of patients who are dying.

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The legalization of marijuana is a controversial issue with implications for health care providers, policy makers, and society at large. The use of marijuana for medical reasons is accepted in many states. However, legal sale of the drug for non-medical use began for the first time on January 1, 2014, in Colorado, following a relaxation of marijuana restrictions that is unprecedented worldwide. News reports have indicated that sales of the drug have been brisk. Marijuana-infused food products have been unexpectedly popular, exceeding sales projections. Marijuana use is associated with numerous physical and mental disorders and could result in addiction. Evidence suggests its potency has increased since the 1980s. Colorado has established regulations regarding the sale of marijuana for non-medical use, but concerns still exist. The current article offers a discussion of the health, public policy, socioeconomic, and nursing implications of the legalization of marijuana for non-medical use.

Pet owners may face numerous animal losses in a lifetime. Grief following pet loss is often misunderstood and devalued. Nurses are likely to encounter patients and families mourning the loss of a companion animal. This article outlines the grief process and offers practical suggestions for assisting those who are bereaved.

AIM The aim of the study was to examine self-efficacy among traditional and accelerated nursing students with regard to interprofessional learning. BACKGROUND The World Health Organization and other organizations recognize the need for interprofessional education to prepare health care providers for collaborative practice. Graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs require competence in interprofessional collaboration and communication. METHOD Traditional (n = 239) and accelerated (n = 114) nursing students' self-efficacy was measured utilizing Mann et al.’s Self-Efficacy for Interprofessional Experiential Learning Scale. RESULTS Accelerated students averaged significantly higher than traditional students on the interprofessional team evaluation and feedback subscale (p = .006) and overall self-efficacy (p = .041). CONCLUSION Awareness of possible differences between traditional and accelerated nursing students with regard to self-efficacy may help faculty develop effective interprofessional learning experiences for students in each cohort. Although results cannot be generalized, findings from this study provide evidence to guide the selection of learning strategies.